If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Aus 8 is essentially 440B stainless. Not bad steel but relatively brittle due to the low carbon content.
I know SOG uses it in a lot of stuff and it holds an edge well but I, personally, would be a bit leery of using it on an axe head. I know SOG uses some kind of stainless, 420b?, on the Fasthawk but I'm no axepert so I don't know all the variations in steel and such.

Aus 8 is essentially 440B stainless. Not bad steel but relatively brittle due to the low carbon content.
I know SOG uses it in a lot of stuff and it holds an edge well but I, personally, would be a bit leery of using it on an axe head. I know SOG uses some kind of stainless, 420b?, on the Fasthawk but I'm no axepert so I don't know all the variations in steel and such.

I told you I'm no axepert . I also probably shouldn't type while I'm wrapping up the kiddos bath time. I typed things a wee bit off .
I'm sure someone can better explain why stainless, at least the grades that are often used in knives, tend to be harder and more brittle.than 1095/01/other tool steels. I'm sure it has to do with heat treat and the way various alloys bond together. All I know is that the stainless alloys I've honed have taken far more work to sharpen and are more prone to microchips than the 1095 and other carbon steel blades I've honed.

In theory AUS 8 or 1095 could be made to have a Rockwell Hardness of 45 or 65 and both would perform very differently and react very differently to the same use.